Frank and Rand travel into the heart of New Orleans to solve the latest case. This should be the perfect opportunity to introduce Rand to the dangerous and sometimes dirty world of private investigating.

But the case is riddled with complications and trouble A century-old ghost has taken two young boys into the seedy bowels of another realm for desecrating his grave. To add to Frank and Rand’s dilemma, gay-haters stalk the streets of New Orleans, intent on wreaking havoc among the community.

With the assistance of a nun, Sister Francoise Genevieve, Frank must enter that other realm to rescue the missing young boys and dispense a little street justice in the human world to save the man he loves.

The Crossroads series is scorchingly hot and blends mystery, suspense, romance and at times, the paranormal.

RAVES

"Diablo's Crossroads Shadowland was an incredible story. Rand & Frank are so well developed they feel like old friends. The plot leaves you with the chills as you experience true evil and, then, relief when good intervenes. Hot passion & spine-tingling danger combine with the gratification and sorrow of the ending to produce a tale that will continue to haunt you even after you're done reading. We can only urge Keta Diablo to finish Book Five so we can see what happens next." CataNetwork Reads, 5 Stars. TOP REVIEWER PICK ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Crossroads: Shadowland is Keta Diablo's 4th installment in a series of novellas. If you enjoy a dash of the paranormal along with some HOT M/M action this book is for you. Keta Diablo is a great author and Crossroads is a wonderful series. I just wish her stories were novel length because she always leaves me screaming for more!" Top Pick, Night Owl Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Diablo writes gritty, emotional characters. Frank & Rand aren't on a sweet journey into love but one that leaves you a bit breathless and a bit abused. The sex is titillating and powerful. Their connection is palpable. I love how in each story, the author has upped the stakes for these 2 memorable men." Seriously Reviewed ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"The paranormal element in Crossroads: Shadowland is not just ghostly this time but takes on a slightly more frightening aspect. Diablo keeps her readers on their toes & takes Frank's experience to a new level with the haunting at the Hotel Provincial. I enjoyed the intensity of this novella & will be looking forward to any additional stories Diablo might pen that feature this mismatched pair of heroes." Book Wenches ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Another great addition to the Crossroads series. Keta tends to dish it out on a platter, serving it up to give you just a taste with an unexpected twist & leaves you dangling with want for the main course & you haven't even hit on the dessert yet. In this one Frank heads back to New Orleans with Rand to crack the case of two boys gone missing at a local cemetery, only to discover there's more to this that meets the naked eye. What will transpire in this book will get your temperature soaring to unhealthy levels and I'm not just talking about the steaming sex scenes." Four Stars Sidney, Goodreads ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Crossroads: Shadowland is the fourth story of the Crossroads series. Keta Diablo's characters are evolving with each new tale. Traveling to New Orleans for this story was a nice change of setting. I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment to get that answer and to see if the events have left Frank more protective or if he will see the error of his ways." Literary Nymphs ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"I truly liked this story. The plot is well-developed; the story flows smoothly & the climax (pun intended) are clearly defined. The interactions between all characters are well-thought & very clear. Frank & Rand's relationship dynamics are also clear to the reader & people can easily identify with either and/or both." ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

(A nun enters a portal to another realm at the graveyard to save two children)

Out of the corner of his eye, Frank saw Sister Francoise unclasp the cross about her neck. With outstretched arms, she held it before her. "Now hang on a minute Sister. I never agreed to send you into that black portal."

"Frank―"

"I can't hear you Sister; wind is too loud. But you can hear me, right? I took on this job. I get paid to do this. It would be unethical to say nothing of immoral to send you in."

"He'll listen to me. And God will be traveling with me."

Frank shook his head. "I'm going in and you'll wait here until I return with Brent and Charlie."

She closed her eyes and shook her head. "You said yourself we have only one chance."

Behind the grave the portal widened and groaned. A wild swirl of matter and debris Frank assumed came from the gates of purgatory blew forth. Above them, the clouds moved on and illuminated the cross in the Sister's hand in brilliant hues of metallic gold.

Her voice stern, her stance confident, she turned her head briefly and looked at him. "Stand aside, Frank, you don't want to piss off a Sister of the Order."

He would have laughed had the situation been any less dire.

Forward she marched, the cross shining like a beacon, her face lit by the grace of God. "Damn," Frank said under his breath. "Maybe my sorry ass is redeemable."

Minutes ticked by while Frank wore out a path in the overgrown weeds and grass at his feet. How long did it take to commend one's soul he wondered? What if he never saw Sister Francoise again? The thought made his stomach roil, his heart wrench.

He hadn't spoken directly to the boys' parents today, but left a vague message he'd be tied up with a hot lead and would contact them this evening, no matter the time. He pivoted at the end of his path, checked his watch with the flashlight and patted his chest when his heart flopped like a catfish tossed on shore. Shit, the Sister had gone through the portal twenty minutes ago. What if he had to phone the parents with the horrific news that the hot lead turned out to be the worst lead of his life?

If roles were reversed and he'd gone through the gateway, the Sister wouldn't be pacing. She'd be on her knees praying to the Almighty. He couldn't bring himself to drop to the ground.

Rand's face floated before him in a rush of angry words. What the hell had he said to him? Something like if you can't live with it, don't let the door hit you in the ass. . . or similar off-the-cuff words spoken in anger. Had he lost his fucking mind? He couldn't live without Rand, not in New Orleans, not in Baltimore, not anywhere on earth.

Another ten minutes passed and Frank rethought his decision to kneel. Maybe he could ask for help for the boys' sake, for the Sister's sake. The portico had closed the moment she stepped through it. If it hadn't, he would have taken things into his own hands and plowed through, mule-headed sister or not. Rand's words tripped through his mind. 'You know what your fucking problem is? You think you're an island.'

"No, I don't, Rand. I'm not an island. I'm not even a mud pool without you."

Overhead, the trees whistled and groaned. Frank spun around and squinted through the darkness. The vague outline of an inky hole appeared and then expanded as Frank stumbled toward it. Three forms the same height appeared, but Frank couldn't make out their faces. Golden light burned his eyes.

He wasn't aware he'd been holding his breath until he saw the cross, heard her voice. "Please phone Brent and Charlie's parents and tell them their boys are safe and sound."

"You did it, Sister!" He rushed forward and lifted her off her feet with a bear hug. "You did it!"

Beside her, the boys rubbed their eyes, fell to the ground and clawed at the grass as if they couldn't believe they'd returned. "Of course, Frank. Did you doubt it?"

He set her on her feet and cupped her face in his hands. "Nah, a little bird once told me with God all things are possible."

About the Author

Keta Diablo lives in the Midwest part of the United States on six acres of gorgeous woodland. When she isn't writing or gardening, she loves to commune with nature. A pair of barn owls returns to the property every year to birth their young and show them off in the high branches of the oak trees. Nothing more adorable than these white fluffy babies with heart-shaped faces. A lifelong animal lover, Keta devotes her time and support to the local animal shelter. Emma LaPounce, a rescued feline, has been her furry companion for the last ten years.

Keta is an award-winning and Amazon bestselling author who writes in several genres: Western Romance, Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance and Contemporary Romance. Occasionally, she writes Gay Romance. Her books have received numerous accolades, including RWA contest finalist, Authors After Dark finalist, Top Pick of the Month and Recommended Review from many top review sites, and Best Romance Finalist from The Independent Author Network.